Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 22, Decatur, Adams County, 26 January 1915 — Page 1

Volume XIII. Number 22.

THEY ALL AGREE Democrats in House Together on Real Merits of the Anti-Lobbying Bill. I HI ■— TIMES LOOKING UP — According to All Reports Now Coming in—Fry’s Splendid Report. — (By Lew-jEllingham) Indianapolis, lpd„ Jan. 26 —The house democrats have agreed in secret caucus that the Perry Davis antilobby bill shall be made a party caucus bill, and that means that so far as the democrats are concerned, and this is the business end of the house, that the bill will pass and have votes to spare. There has been much said and much printed about this bill and the inference lias gone out that the democrats are divided upon its passage. There is no such division. There is always a difference of opinion between men and 1 hope there always will be. It is by this difference of opinion that every public question is threshed out. It is by this difference of opinion that the public is apprised of the many sides to every question, and it gives to them the cue they need to help men in official life to reach the right side of every public question. The average man in ] üblic life wants to do the right thing, 1 and he will do It if he really knows ] what the right thing is. The impression that has been permitted to pre- i vail in the public mind that the average man in office is looking for every way but the right one, is unwarranted ; and untrue. But there was no striking difference between the members as to the need of a lobby bill, and they did not differ greatly as to what the bill should contain. It is true that Governor Ralston is more than earnst in his desire to have such a law enacted at this session and should it be necessary he would openly fight for its enactment. But such a course Is unnecessary and the gov- , ernor will be only too happy to fall in line and give praise to those to whom praise is due. and in this instance the praise will be due to the militant majority' in the house. A similar bill is noir in the senate and judging from the expressions made by many of the members of that body, « an anti-lobby bill with real teeth in it, will not have rough sledding there. The state board of tax commissioners is now arranging their annual schedule of conferences. They start the ball on February 8 at South Bend, and then in order, Fort Wayne, Logansport, Lafayette, Indianapolis, Vincennes, Boonville. New Albany and Richmond. At these distri.t meetings the subject of assessment of all classes of property is taken up and thoroughly discussed, thus giving valuable Information to many of the county assessors, and what is more to the point they also get a chance to talk straight to many of the township officials. New assessors are this year on the job and It being the year, too, that real estate Is assessed, it makes the work of Che assessors and of the members of the state board of tax commissioners more important than ever. The personnel of the state tax board is changed, Dr. T. D. Scales taking the place made vacant by tiie resignation of now Judge D. M. Link. Hon. James H. Fry, state supervisor of oils, has just made his annual report which shows that the state of Indiana received $68,000 in fees from this department during the past year. This is an increase over the collection of 1913 of seven thousand dollars. During the past year the number of barrels of oil inspected is given at 623,921, and the number of barrels of gasoline at 731,844. Forty-s.x inspectors do the work and make these inspections which takes them into every county in the state at least once every month. The amount turned into the state treasury represents just half of the collections, as one-half of the revenue goes to the inspectors. Mr. Fry attributes the increase in receipts as coming from the great and constantly growing greater consumption of oil used by motor vehicles. The present genial and capable supervisor of oils will on the first .of March step down and out. and turn feeling prevails in the manufacturing (Continued on rage Two)

DECATUR DAI LY DEMOCRAT

over theadminlstratlon of this department to Hon. John W. Behyntt-r of Tipton. Now comes Henry Ford, the greatest manufacturer of them all, and makes the announcement that he has just closed a contract with the Russian government for the delivery of forty thousand Ford automobiles. It will take this factory about two months to turn out this order. We would like to Inquire whether this is an indication of a panic or prosperity. A few more soup houses like the Ford factory will cause those anti-prosper-ity statesmen at Washington and elsewhere, to throw a fit. On top of this announcement comes others equally cheering. Traveling men out of Indianapolis report that orders are coming easy and that an optimistic (Continue on Page Two) o MR. WEISEL DEAD Death Claims Peter Wetsel, Pioneer of Adams County, Late Last Night. A PEACEFUL END Last Breath Was Taken Without a Struggle—7l Years of Age. Peter Wetsel, a pioneer, and prominent farmer of Adams county, died at 11:30 o’clock Monday night at his home in west Washington township as the result of a long illness from complications. A slight stroke of paralysis is also attributed as one of 1 the causes of his death. Mr. Wetsel had been in failing health for a number of years, but not until a week ago was he confined to his bed. Between eight and ten years ago he fell and dislocated his hip, from -which injury he never fully recovered.. During the time he was confined to his bed he gradually grew weaker, until the end came peacefully late last night. Peter Wetsel was one of the pioneers and most prominent farmers in Adams county. Coming here in 18S2 from Ohio, he settled on a farm in Washington township, which he improved from year to year and at the present time is one of the most progressive and up-to-date places in the county. The deceased was born in Rochester, New York, on the twelfth day of August, 1843, being 71 years, 3 months and 13 days old. When about ten years of age he went with his parents to Ohio and Jived with them until they died, after which he moved to Adams county. Four sons, George, Joseph and Edward, of this city, and Albert, of Spokane, Wash., and two daughters, Mrs. Frank Rumschlag, and sister Claudia, of Fond du Lac, Wis., survive. Mrs. Wetsel died about thirty years ago. The funeral arrangements have not yet been definitely made as the family are expecting word from the brother Albert of (Continued on Two) —o WILL CELEBRATE Local Sam Henry Post, G. A. R., Will Celebrate 33rd Anniversary OF ORGANIZATION Saturday, February 13— Committes Appointed to Arrange Program. The local G. A. R. post, known as the Sam Henry Post, No. 630, G. A. R., department of Indiana, has arranged for a grand celebration of the thirty-third anniversary of its organization for Saturday, February 13th. At a special meeting called by Chairman D. K. Shackley, the following committees to arrange for the event were named: Vocal Music—J. R. Parrish. Instrumental Music—S. B. Fordyce. Invitation—W. H. Myers. Reception—G. W. Mallonee, Sam Chronister, R. A. Drummond. Press Correspondent—B. W. Sholty. I Speakers—J. D. Hale, Perry Elzey.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, January 26, 1915.

OCEAN TO OCEAN President Wilson Opens theTranscontinentalTelephone System Monday. TALKS- TO OFFICERS Os Panama Exposition And to Mayor Rolph of San Francisco ! Speaking from his office In the White House, President Wilson yesterday formally opened the Transcontinental telephone system by his sjieaking directly to President Moore of the Panama exposition and congratulating him on his excellent work. He ;.vas then connected with San Francisco and held a conversation with Thomas A. Watson, elecrician of Dr. Bell when the first telephone was invented. Mayor Rolph also spoke with the president. After the first successful inter change of messages, the original telephone of 40 years ago was switched on and the voices were still distinct. Theodore N. Vail, president of the American Telephone and Telegraph Co. was then switched in from Jekyl Island. Georgia and conversation was held over a circuit 4.600 miles long. The Transcontinental line was erected by the American Telephone and Telegraph Co., and their wires pass through Adams county near Vera Cruz and through Wells county, a large number of men having been working on it for the past several weeks. o TO LEAVEAUBURN Father George Angermaier, Former Decatur Assistant Priest, Will LEAVE CHARGE SOON To go to New Field in California for His Health— Well Known Here. Father George Angermaier, a former assistant at the Decatur Catholic church, to the late Father Wilken, who has been located at Auburn for several years, will leave the charge at Auburn soon, to seek a change of climate for his health, he having been of frail body for some time. An Auburn paper says: “Father George Angermaier an nounced today that he will leave the city sometime next week for an extended vacation, at the close of which he will begin his duties in a new field of labor. Father Angermaier is the acting priest at the St. Michael’s Catholic church at Summit and the Immaculate Conception Catholic church of Auburn, which dual charge he has held for the past four and a half years, coming here from Decatur, Indiana. He lias enjoyed the privilege during his ministry of seeing his flock housed in a beautifully remodeled church home, the accomplishment of which was brougiit .about chiefly through his efforts. His congregation has grown from one hundred and fifty to more than two hundred members. In fact of the large number of Catholic families that have moved from the city, the growth of the church during his ministry has been gratifying to Father Angermaier as well as to the Catholic people of Auburn as a whole. Father Angermaier says that he is leaving Auburn upon the recommendation of Bishop Herman Joseph Alerding, of Fort Wayne, who has advised him to seek a change in climate for his health an 1 go to California. Father Angermaier’s presence in Auburn has been an appreciated one, both from the view of the non-Catholic people, as well as the members of Ids flock. Not only did Catholic people rejoice over the prospects of a remodeled church home, but their friends of Protestant faith seemed to rejoice with them in tiie accomplishment of their purpose, as they fully understood the early struggles of the church here and realized how bravely the situation was met by the Catholic people of Auburn. The charge will doubt-

I less be under tiie direction of another priest, but Just who that will be, is a matter which Father Angermaier was unable to say Saturday afternoon." > — -o BRYANT DRUGGIST DIVORCED. The Shull divorce case from Bryant was disposed of in the circuit court Monday forenoon, Judge Moran granting Caroline Shull a decree of 1 separation from Guy Shull and giving her judgment ror alimony in the sum of $550. witli an extra allowance for , attorney fees amounting to SIOO and expenses totaling something like sl9 to lie paid by the defendant, together with the costs of the case. Shull is propriteor of a drug store at Bryant. —Portland Sun. _ o— AT THE ADADEMY Students of St. Agnes Musical Academy Give a Private Recital. ♦ ON FRIDAY EVENING — I ■ Pupils from All Grades Will Participate—Fine Program Arranged. A musical recital will be given by the students of the St. Agnes Music academy at the academy room on Fifth street, Friday evening, January 29. Pupils from all the different' grades will participate. The program arranged by the sister teacher is as follows: Marche Russe (two pianos), Ganne —F. Helm, D. Parent, N. Helm, R. Brokaw. Pitno Duet, Grandmother's Song. Mathews —E. Bowers, D. Hensley. Piano Duet, A Rural Wedding, Mason —C. Rumschlag. M. Meyer. Piano Duet, Y'oung America March, Gaerdeler —L. Knapp, D. Parent. Piano Trio, Hazel March, Lerman — Jeanette Clark, Anna Baker, Marcella Teeple. Piano Duet, Flowers of the Forest. Burns —G. Christen, B. Christen. Piano Duet, Evening Chimes, Paul —H. Bosse, E. Bosse. Violin Solo, Roaming Gypsies, Farrington—B, Davis; accompanist, D. Parent. Piano Quartet, LaGrace (two pianos), Bohm —M. Thomas, L. Keller, J. Holthcuse, V. Smith. Piano Duet, Viking March, Verner —M. Niblick, M. Murtaugh. Piano Duet, Dance of tiie Liliputians, Bonheuer —D. Dellinger, C. Miller. Piano Trio, March Op. 75, Streabbog—C. Niblick, W. Clark, M. Niblick. Polacca Brillante, Bohm —A. Miller. Violin Solo, Gavotte, Farrington— B. Davis; accompanist, D. Parent. Piano Trio, Dixie, Emmett —V. Ervin, L. Corbett, G. Christen. Piano Duet, Processional March, Rinquet—l. Butler, M. Aurand. Piano Quartet, Silver Trumpets (two pianos), Vivlanl —N. Helm, It. Brokaw, F. Helm, D. Parent. Song, Do You Know’ Miss Prim, Frise —Junior Girls. THE NEW CANAL Os Panama May Mean Much in Lessening Decatur Manufacturers’ SHIPPING BILLS To Westren Coast —Less Than Sending Overland by Decatur manufacturers ship their products to all parts of the United States and many of them to the ex treme western sea coast. The matter of transportation is quite an item with them, and of course the best way and means from a financial standpoint, as well as expediency, is con- ■ sldered. i The opening of the new Panama ca- ■ nal, It is thought, will affect local ) manufacturers and provide a lower (Contlnueu on rage Two)

RESERVE SEATS For “Down in Alabam’’ on Wednesday for Thursday and Friday. t J I ' PARTICULARS GIVEN i All Indications Point to the Best Local Talent Play Ever Given. Much interest has been expressed by those holding tickets for the home talent play, “Down in Alabam,” to be given Thursday and Friday evenings at tiie Bosse opera house under the auspices of the Woman's Civic Improvement society, as to the time and manner of having the seats reserved. For Thursday ond Friday night's performance the seats may be rer served at the Holthouse drug store on Wednesday morning at 7:45 o'clock. From the enthusiasm and interest placed in the rehearsals for the play ‘ “Down in Alabam" promises to be one of the best local talent plays ever put on in thi scity. It's a side-split-ting, rip-roaring comedy, filled with witty sayings and retorts and chuck full of bright, snappy musical numbers and novelties, introduced in a manner that will bring shouts of laughter from the audience. A guar--1 anteed cure for the blues and depression. Those who have not been solicited to buy tickets may secure them at tiie 1 Holthouse drug store. tocsinjFnduid W. R. Bolinger, Member of Modern Woodman Lodge, Dead of Tuberculosis. FRED MEYERS DEAD . Died at Easthaven—Funeral at Berne—Mrs. Hilgey’s Funeral. Funeral services for W. R. Bolinger, aged twenty-seven, a resident of Tocsin, were held this afternoon at 2 o’clock at the United Brethren church in Tocsin, in charge of the Rev. Foster of Hoagland. The deceased was a member of the Modern Wooman ledge and well known here. The Bluffton News says of his deatn: “Death came at 12 o’clock Saturday night to W. R. Bolinger, aged twenty seven years, residing in Tocsin. He had been ill for over a year with tuberculosis, which caused his death. W. Ross Bolinger was born in Indi ana, August 12, 1887, and had been ? resident of Jocsin for the past nine years. He spent last winter with his parents in Augusta, Wisconsi/, but returned to Tocsin in the summer. Surviving are the parents, of Wisconsin, the wife, a daughter, Vera, and a son, Paul. Also surviving are four sisters and four brothers, who are as follows: Mrs. Cora Rodenbaugh, of Augusta, Wis.; Mrs. Stella Savage, Edgerton, Ind.; Mrs. Leona Scott, Montgomery, Ind.; Mrs. Ada Lcngworthy, Wisconsin; Ora Bolinger, Edgerton, Ind.; Harry and Martin Bolinger, Augusta, Wis., and A. 0.Bolinger, of Twin Bridge, Montana.” Mrs. Hilgey’s Funeral. The funeral of Mrs. Henry Hllgey or Kirkland township was held yes- . ierday forenoon at the Mission church west of Berne. Mrs. Hilgey died last Thursday after being ill for about a week. She was forty-four years old and had lived in Kirkland township for the past sixteen years. Six children and her husband survive her. ' Mrs. Chris Hilty of this place is one 1 of her daughters.—Berne Witness. Fred Meyers Dead. r Fred Meyers, who has been an lr.1 mate of the Easthaven asylum for / several months, died Thursday and - was buried here yesterday. He leaves • a wife and five children.—Berne News. —o — 1 John T. Kelly, one of Jefferson townr ship’s best known citizens, was a business visitor in the city this morning.

I SHE STARTED SOMETHING. Sheriff Johnson received a hall last night from Liberty Center to settle a quarrel between ('. T. Messina, Clover 1 Leaf agent there, tin<i his inother-in-law. The woman arrived yesterday from Tipton to visit in her daughter's home and site claimed that Messina had taken his year-old baby away from tiie home and placed it in the railroad station. The woman wanted the child returned to the residence, asserting that it was sick, but when Deputy Sheriff Albright called the : agent said the baby was being car>d lor in fine style and he would not let it suffer from the cold. The mother-in-law informed the officers that she would come to the city today to file charges. The quarrel between the two is said to have become rather hot, —Bluffton News. o THE DEATH TOLL Isaac Smith, Aged Resident of St. Marys Township, Succumbed Today. WAS ILL LONG Twin Son of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Mumma Passed Away Last Night Isaac Smith, about seventy-five years of age. a well known and esteemed resident of St. Marys town ship, living five miles east of this-, city near tiie Calvary church, did this morning between seven and eight o’clock. He had been ailing the past year of a complication of dis eases, superinducing dropsy. He was the son of Zachariah and Susanna Smith, and was born in St Marys township, where his life was spent. He was married in young manhood to Miss Margaret Cowan. The widow, with two daughters, are living. The children are Miss JeniiP at home; and Lulu, wife of Delbert Walters, of St. Mary's township. Mr. Smith Is very well known in this city, being an uncle of Mrs. J. r Gay and others. He is a brother o Joe Smith of this city; and of Mr: Irvin Acker; of this city, Mrs. Job Teeple and Mrs. Martha Frlsinger of this city and county; and of Mis Mary Teeple of Geneva. Mr. Smith has been a resident of the farm where his death occurred for thirty-five years and is one of th< pioneer residents of the community Mr. Smith was a veteran of the civil war and served well, being a member of the 89th regiment. The G. A. R. will meet this evening at 7 o'clock to make arrangements to attend the funeral which will be held Thursday. The procession will leave the residence at 1 o’clock sun time, Thursday afternoon for the Calvary church east of this city, where the Rev. Pow ell of Bobo will be in charge. Burial will take place in the Decatur cemt. tery. Mumma Babe Dead (Contiuueo on rage 2) o RURAL CARRIER Applicants For Carrier On Mail Route Eight Out of Decatur MAY TAKE EXAM. At Decatur Postoffice Satur day, February 27—Is a Vacancy Postmaster William J. Posse has ' received a bulletin from the postal headquarters at Washington, I). C. , announcing a civil service examination for the vacancy in the position of rural mail carrier on Decatur rural ' route eight, made vacant by tiie reI signation of Milt Leave]!. This ex- . amination will lie held at the Decatur . post office Saturday February 27. Any male in the county, between the ages of 18 and 55. may take the ex- • amination. Further information re- ■ garding the same may be made upon . application at the local postoffice.

Price, Two Cents.

GERMANS LOSE - IN AN ATTACK Attempt to Resume Offensive Near Laßasse Results in Heavy Losses. ATTACK NEAR OSTEND By British Battleships Results in Non-Combatants Being Killed. Paris, Jan. 26 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Frightful Getman losses in an attack on strong English positions west of Iztßassee and in tiie legion from the Lys to tiie Oise were reported officially today. These brought indications that tiie Germans are trying to resume the offensive from the sea coast to Arras, Norfolk, Jan. 26 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —One man was lost an I thirty-nine others were rescued with difficulty today when an unknown schooner collided witli and sunk the American-Hawaiian steamer Washingtonias off Fenwick Islands. Berlin, Jan. 26 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Repeating its claims that a Britsh tattle cruiser was sunk Sunday morning in the North sea. the war office today declared it lias information that two destroyers were also sunk and the enemy's ships damage !. Berlin papers today declare the North sea engagement a brilliant victory for the German squadron and regretted the loss of the Bluecher. Besides tiie sinking of the cruiser, the Germans sustained but small losses, Berlin, Jan. 26 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The federal council today took an energetic action to confirm Germany’s foot! supply. Following announcement that all stocks of grain would be seized by the government, orders were issued today to all municipalities that tl/y should arrange to secure supplies of meat and provisions to prevent any waste. Beginning today no business transactions in flour will be permitted. Owners of wheat, corn and flour were instructed to file reports showing the amount of their holdings. Tiie government will then confiscate all their stock, paying a price to be determined later. London, Jan. 26 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Hostile submarines have attacked the German Baltic fleet off the south coast of Sweden, according to the Copenhagen correspondent of the Evening Star. It is rumored that tiie German cruiser Gazelle is in a sinking condition, having been hit by a Russian torpedo. Berlin, Jan. 26—(Special to Daily Democrat)—British warships bombarded Middlekerke and Westende on the Belgium coast near Ostend, killing and wounding many persons, including tiie Burgermaster, it was officially announced this afternoon. Shells destroyed many buildings. Capture of strong British positions west of Laßassee is also reported witli a British suffering severe losses. The Germans atacked on both sides of the canal west of Laßassee. Tiie advance on the north was unsuccessful, tiie Germans being forced to retire when the British threatened to outflank them. On the soutli German troops from Baden captured English positions extending over about fiveeighths of a mile. The Germans captured three English officers, 110 men and one cannon and three machine guns. Copenhagen, Jan. 26—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Reports received this afternoon declared that the German cruiser Gazelle was struck by a ; Russian torpedo. The Gazelle was a I sister ship to the Miaobe and had a normal displacement of 2,645 tons, and her complement was 264 men. o— 1 NEW HIGH POINTS REACHED. 'Chicago, 111., Jan. 26—(Special tn Daily Democrat)—New high points for many years were reached for ail grains and for all active futures on local grain markets just before one ' o’clock today. At 1 p. m. May wheat, was at $1:46%, July at $1.31’,4, tiie latter a jump of 4’4 cents over its opening. May corn. 80%c; July, 81%c; May oats, 5814 c; July, 56%c.